Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, Court writer
A Bulawayo-based detective attached to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has appeared in court alongside an accomplice for allegedly conspiring to steal an impounded vehicle from a police yard.
Master Genti (39), a detective in the CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna section, and his co-accused Richard Phiri (56) appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Mark Dzira, facing a charge of theft.
The pair were not asked to plead and apply for bail. They were remanded in custody to today.
Prosecuting, Ms Mufaro Ndirayire told the court that the matter arose from Phiri’s arrest on December 18, for prospecting for gold without a licence.
Following his arrest, his vehicle — a Toyota Hilux — was impounded and stored at Drill Hall Police Station as an exhibit.
The court heard that on Christmas Eve, the two allegedly hatched a plan to unlawfully remove the vehicle from police custody.
“On the night in question, the accused persons proceeded to CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna offices in Bulawayo. At around 9PM, they used duplicate keys to start the engine of the impounded Toyota Hilux and reversed it out of the yard with the vehicle’s lights switched off,” said Ms Ndirayire.
However, their plan was thwarted when an alert detective on duty spotted the vehicle being driven away and confronted the accused, demanding an explanation.
“They failed to give a satisfactory response as to why an impounded vehicle was being driven out of the police yard,” said the prosecutor.
Genti was arrested at the scene, while Phiri allegedly jumped out of the vehicle and fled. He was arrested the following day.
